The licensee has to ensure that the veterinary surgeons under his employ are licensed by AVA and comply with the conditions of licensing or any directives that may be issued by the Director-General from time to time.

The veterinary centre must at all times be under the control and management of a veterinary surgeon, and is subject to inspection by the AVA.

Veterinarians

Licensing of Veterinarians

To practise veterinary medicine in Singapore, you are required to apply for a veterinary licence from the AVA.

Veterinary degrees from veterinary schools fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) are generally acceptable for licensing in Singapore. As a guide, veterinary degrees from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and veterinary degrees from US veterinary schools (AVMA-accredited) are generally recognisable. Please note that AVA does not recognise veterinarians who have obtained Membership to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) by virtue of EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

Veterinarians who hold veterinary degrees from non-recognised universities may still be eligible for licensing based on passes in the RCVS Statutory Examination for Membership; North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE); Australian National Veterinary Examination (ANVE) or the New Zealand Veterinary Examination (NZNVE).

Alternatively, you may send your application package to the following address:

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA)

Veterinary Section, Agri-Establishment Regulation Group

52 Jurong Gateway #09-01

Singapore 608550

It takes an estimated 10 to 14 working days to process an application that is complete and in order.

Each licence costs S$80.00 for 2 years or part thereof.

Step 4: AVA Veterinary Licensing Briefing

You will be required to attend the AVA Veterinary Licensing Briefing within one year of your licensure. You are to present the original qualification certificate for verification at this stage.

Licensing conditions

The licence issued is subject to the following conditions that:

You must comply fully with the Code of Ethics for Veterinarians and such amendments that may come into effect. The Code of Ethics aims to assure the community the best service of which veterinary surgeons are capable and to promote co-operation within the ranks of professionals.

You are required to work with an existing veterinary centre in Singapore in the first year after obtaining a licence to gain local experience.

You must inform AVA of any change in residential or practice address within 21 days of the change.

You must provide prescribed information of all microchip implantations performed on dogs to AVA.

Code of Ethics

The purpose of the Code is to assure the community the best service of which veterinarians are capable and to promote co-operation within the ranks of the profession. In addition, exemplary professional conduct not only upholds honour and dignity, but also enlarges our sphere of usefulness, exalts our social standards and promotes the science we cultivate.

Fundamentally, there are 4 guiding principles for the veterinarians:

To pursue the work of his profession with uprightness of conduct.

To serve the community to the utmost of his ability.

To constantly endeavour to ensure the welfare of animals committed to his care.

To seek no personal advantage at the expense of his professional colleagues.

List of Licensed Veterinary Centres

Complaint

Lodging a Complaint Regarding Veterinary Medical Treatment Provided

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) regulates veterinarians and assesses complaints regarding professional conduct. The client should, where possible, attempt to resolve the issue directly with the vet or the clinic’s vet manager. If the matter cannot be resolved or if direct resolution is not appropriate, a complaint can be lodged with the AVA. The aim of investigating a complaint is to maintain appropriate standards for the profession and the community. Valid complaints lodged are thoroughly assessed.

Animal Health & Veterinarians

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